Christopher Operi, the Ivorian defender currently playing for Le Havre AC, has emerged as a key target for Turkish club Beşiktaş Istanbul, who are eager to strengthen their squad for a push toward the Turkish Süper Lig title.
The 24-year-old has caught the attention of the Istanbul side with his impressive performances, and discussions for a potential transfer have been ongoing for the past ten days.
Beşiktaş’s interest in Operi has been building for several months, and they see him as a strategic addition to their defense as they look to close the gap on league leaders Galatasaray.
Currently sitting fifth in the Turkish league with 26 points from 16 matches, Beşiktaş is 15 points behind the top spot and is aiming to reinforce their squad ahead of the second half of the season.
Operi, who is under contract with Le Havre until June 2026, has featured prominently for the French club this season.
He has played 14 matches across all competitions, accumulating 1,260 minutes on the pitch and providing two assists.
His strong performances have not only caught the eye of Beşiktaş but also made him a valuable asset to Le Havre, with his current market value estimated at €4 million.
The potential transfer represents an intriguing opportunity for Le Havre.
While the departure of Operi in the middle of the season would undoubtedly be a sporting blow, it could also offer a significant financial gain for the Normandy-based club.
Beşiktaş, for their part, is keen to secure the deal as they pursue their ambitions of mounting a serious challenge for the Süper Lig title.
As negotiations continue, the future of Christopher Operi remains uncertain, but Beşiktaş is clearly intent on strengthening their defense with the addition of the highly-rated Ivorian.